Vanguard tight end Dillon commits to USF

Published: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 11:39 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 11:39 a.m.

Vanguard tight end Kano Dillon played defense during his MCYFL days and skipped freshman football altogether for the Knights. His skills on the other side of the ball will be his meal ticket to a college scholarship.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound pass catcher committed to the University of South Florida on Monday night.

Dillon, who emerged into a two-star prospect on Rivals this season, had offers rolling in from a boatload of Division I schools like Wisconsin, Florida International and UAB. But the love he got from the Bulls made his decision easier.

"When I imagine college, I can just see myself there," said Dillon, who visited the Tampa school the weekend of the Louisville game in late October. "I can tell it's a great family. I couldn't really tell you who my recruiter was because all of the coaches were on me equally. It's nice to see."

Dillon has been receiving interest from Florida and Kentucky as well. In fact, Dillon and fellow Vanguard senior Natrell Jamerson are scheduled to visit UK on Jan. 24. Jamerson committed to Wisconsin in November.

After JV coaches put Dillon at tight end as a sophomore, his play on the field did the talking. As a junior, Dillon hauled in 19 passes for 252 yards and a pair of scores, which earned him a second-team All-County nod.

"After my junior season and the spring game (as a rising senior), I guess I realized I could get to the next level," he said. "That's when it got serious with colleges coming in."

After working extensively with Vanguard assistant Jeff Hawkins — who also played tight end for the Knights and USF — Dillon honed his game as a blocker and receiver for a breakout senior season. He caught 47 balls for 641 yards and seven touchdowns, earning first team All-County honors this time around.

"Kano has worked very hard to get an opportunity," Vanguard head coach Alex Castaneda said. "He is going to be an outstanding player. He is a hard worker and will be very successful at the next level."

Dillon's versatility allowed him to line up in different formations at Vanguard, and he said USF coaches see the same for him in Tampa. Dillon was a vital weapon for Castaneda in the red zone this season.

"I see him as an H-back," Castaneda said. "Like a hybrid tight end who can move around and get good matchups. He weighs 230 now. He can easily be at 250 and still maintain his speed."

Dillon will join another Marion County alum currently playing tight end for USF. Sean Price, a North Marion graduate, just completed his sophomore season for the Bulls (2-10) and started all but one game in 2013.

By the looks of USF's 2014 signing class, Dillon should have some competition out of the gate at tight end. Mississippi Gulf Coast's Marlon Pope signed an early letter of intent, while Estero's Nick Nataro is committed.